A FORMER Devon and Cornwall Police officer is due to appear in court this week, charged with rape.

Police Sergeant David Stansbury, aged 42, is charged with three counts of rape of a woman aged 16 years or over.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in Plymouth in 2009, whilst he was on duty for Devon and Cornwall Police. They have been under investigation since being reported to the force in September 2020.

PS Stanbury, from Ilminster, Somerset, is now a serving officer with Hertfordshire Police, having served with Devon and Cornwall Police from 2009 to 2011. He is currently suspended from duty.

He is due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates Court on Wednesday (April 19).

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “If you have any information that you feel may assist this investigation, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling freephone 0800 555 111 or by filling in a simple and secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org”